United States of America (USA) Fire Industry News

Eligible programs include auxiliaries, junior firefighter programs, and other non-emergency support programs     Nominate an outstanding Fire Corps program for the 2010 Fire Corps Award of Excellence. The award, which is sponsored by the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) and Fire Protection Publications, honors a Fire Corps program whose remarkable achievements in the fire and emergency services and the community exemplify outstanding...

Safety, Health and Survival Week is in partnership with more than 20 national fire service organizations Safety Week’s Fit for Duty theme will cover a variety of topics that are extremely important to all firefighters and EMS personnel.The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) have announced the theme for the 2010 Safety, Health and Survival Week (Safety Week): Fit for Duty. Safety Week, which w...

Grants have been used to fund turn-out gear, extrication equipment, water pumps, hoses and nozzles The application period for the 2010 Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade™ grant program is now open. Fire departments located in communities that have a Georgia-Pacific facility are eligible to apply for a grant to help purchase needed gear and equipment. The deadline for applications is August 9.The Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade is a national program that recognizes firefig...

Family and friends are a big support for children affected by disasters and catstrophes  Children can be especially vulnerable to stress following a disaster, such as the severe storms and record-setting flooding between April 30 and May 18. Of the 61,375 households that have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to date, nearly a third include children younger than 18. Preschoolers, children and teenagers who witnessed their home being damaged o...

ICC Awards will be presented at ICC Annual Conference 2010 at Charlotte, NC ICC Awards will be presented in five categories to honor individuals and organizations for their accomplishments and service to ICC. The International Code Council (ICC) is now accepting nominations for the ICC Awards, which will be presented at the 2010 ICC Annual Conference on October 25–28 in Charlotte, NC. Nominations must be received by June 15. ICC Awards will be presented in five categor...

Safety guidelines should be adhered while using fireworks In 2008, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 7,000 people for fireworks-related injuries. Every year in the United States, Fourth of July is celebrated with community parades, picnics, barbecues, and fireworks - the things of which happy memories are made. But sadly, Independence Day also includes tragic events resulting from fireworks use. The safest way to enjoy them is through public display...

CSB meeting is free and open to the public so they can get a complete know how of chemical accidents The Sunshine Act Meeting will be held on June 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Prince Edward Ballroom, Saint Clements Castle, Portland, Connecticut.  In connection with its investigation into the natural gas explosion that occurred at the Kleen Energy power plant in Middletown, Connecticut, the United States Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announces that i...

FireVu provides next generation of smoke detection technology The FireVu units adopted for the iconic Palm Jumeirah are the latest and most capable incarnation of D-Tec's VSD technology. D-Tec - part of AD Group - announces that its partner in the Middle East region, BSS-ME, has supplied, tested, and commissioned seven advanced IP-based, NetVu Connected, FireVu units to provide a state-of-the-art CCTV-based VSD (Video Smoke Detection) solution for the main tunnel at the famou...

The Labor-Management Initiative Conference will be held between 20 and 21 January, 2011, Phoenix An education program is being planned for the 2011 LMI conference. The International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Fire Fighters are currently planning the education program for the 2011 Labor-Management Initiative (LMI) Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., on January 20-21, 2011. Mark your calendar now and make plans to attend this unique networking an...

Navistar International Corporation is a world leader in vehicle manufacturing In a head-to-head, hands-on test of their technical skill and speed, eleven of the top service technicians in the international dealer network will compete to determine who is the best of the best at the fourth annual Navistar Service-Technician Rodeo on June 8, 2010. To test their skills in key areas of commercial truck and engine service, International dealer technicians from across North Am...

The NVFC spring board meeting was held in Alexandria, VA, with 38 fire associations in attendance The Board members heard from speakers on a variety of topics from grant programmes to partnerships, to recruitment ideas. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Board of Directors heard from a wide array of distinguished speakers during its annual NVFC Spring Board Meeting in Alexandria, VA, April 27-May 1. Thirty-nine state fire associations were represented at the meeting....

Awareness should be spread about preparation against hurricanes FEMA continues to work with its state, local and federal partners to increase preparedness and coordinate response against hurricanes. June 1 marked the official start of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season that runs through the end of November. Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) spent the day urging American families, businesses and communities to take every possible precaution to prep...

Everyone should take steps now to help keep themselves and their family safe during a hurricane Staying informed about ever-changing conditions and instructions is critically important in any emergency. The 2010 hurricane season begins on June 1, and experts predict it will be more active than usual. With hurricane season upon us, officials from the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management urge residents to ensure that their famili...

John McAuliffe truly exemplifies outstanding lifetime achievement in the fire and emergency services Chief John McAuliffe was awarded the NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award during the NVFC Spring Board Meeting on April 30 in Alexandria, VA. With over fifty years in the fire service and an abundance of leadership roles and accomplishments to his credit, McAuliffe truly exemplifies outstanding lifetime achievement in the fire and emergency services. McAuliffe joined the Wethersfiel...

Senator Dodd has been honoured for the support he provided to volunteer emergency responders Dodd was the Senate sponsor of the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (VRIPA), which was enacted in 2007. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) named Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) the 2010 Legislator of the Year at the Spring Board Meeting. The NVFC Legislator of the Year award is given annually to a member of the U.S. House or Senate for their support...

Jeff Cash was honoured for setting high standards and values at NVFC The National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Board of Directors honored Chief Jeff Cash with the E. James Monihan Director’s Award. Cash, who is the Second Vice Chairman of the NVFC and the Director from North Carolina, was recognized for his extraordinary involvement in the NVFC and for going above and beyond in his service and commitment to the Council. The award was presented during the N...

The junior firefighter program was founded in the year 2004 The Westhampton Beach Junior Fire Company is an outstanding example of what a junior firefighter program can achieve. The Westhampton Beach (NY) Fire Department’s Junior Fire Company has received the 2010 NVFC Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award. The award, which is sponsored by Tyco International, was presented on April 30 during the NVFC Spring Board Meeting in Alexandria, VA. Paul Hoyle, junior fir...

A new study shows residential fires cause much damage to life and property  A landmark study issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shows that the size of firefighting crews has a substantial effect on the fire service's ability to protect lives and property in residential fires. Performed by a broad coalition in the scientific, firefighting and public-safety communities, the study found that four-person firefigh...

Smoke alarm donation programme can help Fire Corps to prevent fires Fire Corps teams can help by utilising the Fire Corps smoke alarm donation programme sponsored by First Alert. If smoke alarms are needed in your community, Fire Corps teams can help by utilizing the Fire Corps smoke alarm donation program sponsored by First Alert. Your registered Fire Corps program may apply for these free smoke alarms by simply filling out the Smoke Alarm Request Form. Please keep in mind t...

The leadership award is named after Paul S. Sarbanes, a retired senator who stood for US firefighters CFSI and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation selected NVFC for its work on the national level to establish and promote the Volunteer Firefighter Health and Safety Priorities. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) received the Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Safety Leadership Award on April 29 during the Congressional Fire Services Institute's (CFSI) annual National F...

NFA is going to modernise some of its popular courses to meet emerging issues in fire and EMS Located on the campus of the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the NFA has trained more than 120,000 students in 2009. The United States Fire Administration's (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA) has completed a top-to-bottom review and update of its Management Science curriculum. This comprehensive review includes new course content, addressing emerging issue...

EMS would concentrate its resouces on improving emergency medical service at a national level The new EMS section of the NVFC will more effectively address the needs of the volunteer emergency medical services. The Board of Directors for the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has voted to create a new EMS section of the Council. This new section would consist of members of the NVFC but would be its own separate group dedicated to representing the interests of the vol...

An online tutuorial provides information on firefighters grant applications About $390 million will be distributed through the current AFG grant cycle. The application period for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) opened on April 26, and applications must be received by May 28. AFG meets the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations by funding critically needed equipment, protective gear, em...

Broadband for First Responders (H.R. 5081) has been introduced as a top new priority in NVFC The new set of NVFC legislative priorities would enhance the standards of safety and security across the U.S. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Board of Directors updated the NVFC's Legislative Priorities at the annual Spring Board Meeting. This included re-ordering the priorities and adopting a new top priority: the Broadband for First Responders Act (H.R. 5081), which...

Disasters officials often stress on the need to prevent rumors and false information among disaster hit people During the first few weeks following a disaster, survivors, still dazed by the trauma, may be easily misled by half-truths and rumors. Common misconceptions can lead to slow recovery and possibly prevent some eligible survivors from getting help. Stresses and uncertainties caused by the tornadoes that stormed across Mississippi in April and May make it easy for rumor...

Fire Corps teams can coordinate with salons and groomers to set up a hair donation system Fire Corps teams across the nation can assist in the clean-up effort by collecting a resource most everyone possesses: hair.  The Gulf Coast oil spill is an environmental disaster that will negatively impact the region for decades. Fire Corps teams across the nation can assist in the clean-up effort by collecting a resource most everyone possesses: hair.  Hair naturally a...

The EMS week celebrates and honours the contributions of emergency service providers EMS Week provides a great opportunity for Fire Corps volunteers to publicise the importance of fire safety, and honour those who provide day-to-day lifesaving services. The National EMS Week recognizes the contributions and dedication of the emergency medical service providers in the community. This year May 19 was set aside as Emergency Medical Services for Children Day to foc...

CEN-CENELEC is to hold web-based seminars on SMEs and European standardisation Small and medium enterprises will benefit from two-day CEN-CENELEC webinar. On Wednesday 26 May and Thursday 27 May CEN-CENELEC is to hold to web-based seminars on SMEs and European standardisation. To find out how your company can benefit from European standardisation, sign up for one of these free events. For more information and to register please click here. 

Boyce is an experienced emergency manager both at state and local level Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate has applauded President Obama's appointment of Don R. Boyce as FEMA Regional Administrator for Region I, which encompasses Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  "Regional Administrators are crucial to our ability to respond effectively to emergencies based on the needs of the communities we s...

39 respondents (63%) said their companies had at some time used flammable gas to blow out piping A CSB public meeting is planned next month in Connecticut to consider new safety recommendations. The practice of using flammable natural gas to clean power plant piping, which led to the fatal explosion at Connecticut-based Kleen Energy on February 7, has been commonly used across the gas-fired power generating industry, CSB investigators have said. The explosion,...